SMES Welcomes New Head of School

WELCOME TO OUR NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL!

Dear Members of the Saint Michael Episcopal School Community,

The Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Netra Fitzgerald, and welcome her as our next Head of School at Saint Michael Episcopal School, effective July 1, 2020. The Board and SMES unanimously agrees that Netra is a perfect fit to lead Saint Michael Episcopal School in this important time in our history!

Netra comes to SMES immediately after serving as Head of Greenhill School Preschool Division for five years. She focused there on establishing strong relationships with her students, parents and faculty. During her tenure, the student enrollment in the Greenhill Preschool grew to be the largest in Greenhill’s 70-year history. She has been instrumental in guiding their curriculum development, social & emotional learning skills integration, and balance of direct learning & play. Throughout the greater preschool community, Netra has become known for her expertise. Even internationally, her leadership and knowledge have been recognized as evidenced by her invitation to present at the Annual International Education Summit in Beijing, China last summer where she presented and spoke on “Early Childhood Learning Ages 0-3.” Most importantly, Netra has the vital experience of being a teacher in the classroom for a number of years including Kindergarten and First Grade.

Netra’s background includes over twenty years in education with a focus on early childhood and leadership. She began her educational career as a kindergarten teacher at Presbyterian Day School in Memphis. Thereafter, she has taught at four independent schools across the country, teaching first grade, directing summer school programs, and serving as interim assistant head of school in Albuquerque before moving to the Metroplex in 2014.

A 1992 graduate of Christian Brothers University in Memphis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Netra then earned a Master of Arts in Teaching: Curriculum and Instruction in 1999 from the University of Memphis. She was also selected in 2006 to participate in the highly regarded Project Zero Summer Institute at Harvard University where she took a deep dive into learning and intelligence.

Netra has great enthusiasm for teaching, a love for children and a Christ-centered approach to education. Her almost instant and genuine connection with all she meets is remarkable to observe. Both her academic background and her professional experience fit beautifully with our beloved Saint Michael Episcopal School.

We look forward to Netra, her husband Ty and their adult children (Kelsey, studying to be a nurse, and Kyle, applying to medical schools) to be part of our school and our community.

Netra with husband Ty and children Kyle and Kelsey